Mike Williamson revealed how his Carlisle United squad was ravaged by illness before their battling draw at Port Vale.

Kadeem Harris, Callum Guy and Ben Williams all did not travel as they suffered from the effects of chest infections and other viruses.

And some players who did make it were also under the weather - including Jon Mellish, who was sick at half-time but played on in the 0-0 draw at Vale Park.

The United head coach Williamson said it had been a heavily disrupted build-up to the game and he praised his players for their character in the circumstances.

"We've had a virus going through the squad, a lot of lads in the changing room and on the pitch were struggling, but they found a way," Williamson told the News & Star.

"It has taken its toll, but the spirit of the boys, their character, has been excellent."

Callum Guy was among the players absent through illness (Image: Richard Parkes)

United's boss will hope the absent trio of Harris, Guy and Williams will be able to return against Morecambe on Boxing Day.

Harris, he said, had recovered from the hip injury that sidelined him a week ago, only for illness to curtail his comeback.

There is another concern, meanwhile, to striker Georgie Kelly, who was on the bench at Vale Park but did not come on during the game after feeling some discomfort in his calf during the warm-up.

Kelly has had a series of calf problems in his time at Brunton Park so far and will be further monitored.

"When he was warming up during the game, he just felt a little something in his calf," said Williamson after the game.

"[Not involving him in the game] was more precaution rather than an issue, so we'll just have to assess it and see how he is.

"We just want to be cautious with him. Fingers crossed it's nothing serious."

Carlisle were already missing Josh Vela and Dylan McGeouch to injuries that will keep them out for eight to ten weeks, joining other players such as Terell Thomas, Archie Davies, Charlie Wyke and Harry Lewis on the sidelines.

Williamson recalled teenagers Sam Hetherington and Anton Dudik from loan spells before the Port Vale game because of Carlisle's depleted numbers.